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Farnese

The Town of the Farnese Family

  • Discover Farnese

    Farnese is a typical medieval village that was born on a tuff spur, on the west side of Lake Bolsena.


    The landscape that unfolds around Farnese is very impressive and faces the Cupa Valley, a hilly area of tuffaceous origin at the south-eastern side of the village. Farnese is completely surrounded by a lush vegetation, including Lamone, a dense forest rich in plant and animal species.


    The center of Farnese is full of ancient buildings other than the remains of the medieval era, including the famous "wells to throw", some large cylindrical wells dug directly into the tuff.


    Like many of the other villages in Tuscia, which arise out of tufa hills, Farnese is subject to erosion due to the base on the sandstone soil of the tufa rock on which it rests. Many consolidation works have been implemented and are still underway to fortify the base.


    There are many events that characterize the Town, including the Festival of sheep farming, the Beer Festival and Farnese in bloom festival.


    A curiosity: due to its characteristics of a perfectly preserved medieval village, Farnese was chosen by the famous Italian director Luigi Comencini as a set for some filming of the movie Pinocchio.

  • What to see in Farnese

  • Video of Farnese

  • History of Farnese

    The territory of Farnese was inhabited since the Bronze Age (XII-X Sec. A.C.) of which we have reports thanks to the numerous traces still visible of an extended village of huts and fragments of pottery.

    In Etruscan times the territory was under the Farnese vulcente domain. Many Etruscan remains were also found along the river Olpeta, including the necropolis of Navilgione and Palomabro and the monumental tomb of Gottimo.

    After the Roman conquest of Vulci, in 280 A.C. the territory passed to Rome. In the Republican Era and throughout the imperial period many villa rustica, farms and pages were rised.

    In medieval times the Lombards occupied the remains of Roman villas and farms; so around 817 P.C. Farnese became part of the "Tuscia Langobardorum".

    Throughout the thirteenth century Farnese was subdued to Orvieto; infact the initial presence of the Farnese family, to whom it owes many buildings throughout the town, dates to this epoch.

    The family fortune begins with Ranuccio, Pope Paul III's grandfather (Alessandro Farnese, who was elected Pope in 1534): Ranuccio became the fact banker of the Apostolic Camera.

    The first real Lord of the Town was Pier Bertoldo Farnese, and one of his sons, Galeazzo II, was the promoter of important provisions on administration of the estate. To Mario Farnese then are recorded some Statutes and buildings, such as the Capuchin monastery and the construction of a new district of the village.

    The glory of Farnese was destinated to decline therefore the Farnese Duchy was soon sold to Cardinal Chigi Flaminio.

    In 1798 Napoleon's troops removed the possession of Farnese from the Chigi Family. Later, the village become part of the Roman Republic, then it got back under the dominion of the Church. It was acquired by the Torlonia and, after the unification of Italy, it passed to the Italian State.

  • Events Farnese

    • Festival of the sheep: the event takes place in late August with four days of food stands, music and many events, including a trade fair and an exhibition of animals.
    • Hunter's feast: the first of August the Farnese Hunter's Feast is organized, one of the most important events of the province in respect of the hunting world. During the event you can attend races of Pointing Dogs on pheasants, dog show and debates on hunting.
    • Feast of Our Lady of Grace: the feast is celebrated on the occasion of the Marian month (May). During the party a solemn procession and fireworks are organized.
    • Feast of the Assumption: during mid-August the Feast of the Assumption is celebrated with the traditional procession, performances and live music. Within this occasion a funny Summer Tombola (a game similar to the bingo) is also organized, don't miss it!
    • Beer Festival: in early July come to Farnese to taste a delicious craft beer and to enjoy many events.
    • Hunting and Fishing Festival: this event is held in late July and on this occasion you can taste typical dishes based on wild boar and you can try clay pigeon shooting. It is also provided for fishing competitions and dog shows.
    • Farnese in bloom: the event takes place in mid-May and includes an interesting carnet of events. Exhibitions, culinary competitions, antiques Fair and much more for three days of celebration.

    Scopri gli eventi in corso

  • Typical Products of Farnese

    • Meat: the green pastures of the area are the ideal territory for the growth of healthy sheep and cattle, which offer high-quality meat.
    • Cheese: in the province of Viterbo one of the most typical dairy products is definitely the caciocavallo cheese, sweet or spicy. It is a typical spun paste cheese, ripened for 1 to 6 months.
    • Olive oil: Extra virgin DOP olive oil, with a strong flavor and a fruity odor, it has a bitter aftertaste with spicy bits.
    • Wine: In Farnese excellent DOC and IGP wines are produced. These wines have delicate and harmonious flavor and a velvety, but dry taste.
    • Honey: Great organic product, straw-amber colored, with a very sweet taste and a vanilla aftertaste.